from staff
Homer Humphries is a long-time attorney in the Jacksonville area. He’s also a past president of the Air Force Association Falcon Chapter of Northeast Florida. So, when Humphries and the Falcon Chapter began talking about establishing an AFA scholarship for a student at Florida Community College at Jacksonville’s Aviation Center at Cecil Field, he knew right where to turn.
Humphries approached the law firm of Spohrer Wilner Maxwell & Matthews for three reasons: he knew Bob Spohrer well, he knew the firm had sponsored similar scholarships in the past and he knew the firm specialized in aviation law.
It worked.
“When the scholarship came up, I knew Bob and Woody (Wilner) would be willing to do it,” said Humphries. “They brought it up at a board meeting, voted on it and approved it. It was a real blessing and outstanding on their part. They are very good about things like this in the community.”
The firm donated $5,000, a figure matched by the State. This year’s recipient is Stephanie Wallace, who is going to FCCJ’s Aviation Center to become an aviation mechanic. Humphries said Wallace will get enough to buy the necessary tools and pay some tuition costs.
“You can’t image the kind of tools boxes these kids have to have,” he said. “They cost about $1,000.”
Humphries said if Wallace sticks with it, her mechanical degree will be well worth it.
“She’ll make great money,” he said. “If she gets qualified and gets her FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) ratings, she’ll make an excellent living.”
Spohrer said starting the scholarship was the right thing to do.
“Our firm is very involved in a number of aviation activities in Northeast Florida and we are delighted to have the opportunity to participate and help needy students,” he said. “The facilities out there are first class and the students are first class. We are delighted to be involved.”
Spohrer said the donation will be an annual occurrence and he’ll give whatever Humphries asks for.